July Garden

The heat is definitely on now as we are hitting some record breaking temperatures in Ontario. As a result, the garden is really picking up speed. Many of my hostas are blooming very early and the coriander bolted quickly, alas. The promise of rain often dissipates even quicker than the rain itself, and when it does rain it evaporates before it can do much good. I have been on water duty more this month to keep the soil moist. Even with mulch, I use wood chips to retain moisture and plant clover to protect the soil and add Nitrogen at the same time. I prefer to water early in the morning, before the sun gets too high, and always water the soil, not the plants. Many plants do not like overhead watering and it is the soil that provides them with nutrients and moisture anyway! “Water the soil and the soil will water the plant.”

Cornundrum

It seems that earwigs have taken up residence in my corn. A Google search provided me with a non-poisonous solution: mix equal parts of cooking oil and soy sauce. Apparently the soy sauce attracts them and the oils traps them. We’ll see if it works. Corn seems to be loved by many; squirrels in June, earwigs in July. I hope there is enough left for me when harvest time rolls around!

Zucchini Season has Begun!

The zucchini squash is ready to harvest now and, like the nasturtium that accompanies it, the best way to get more is to harvest it regularly.

When the fruit gets to be about eight inches long, it is ready to pick; leave an inch or so of the stem attached to the fruit. Pick nasturtium flowers and leaves for a colourful and peppery addition to a salad.

Beautiful Nasturtium

One of the most versatile plants in the garden, if you ask me! Nasturtiums have those lovely round, scalloped leaves and the most cheerful flowers—bright, spicy colours with a delicate fragrance.

They’re not just pretty faces either; the flowers have a peppery kick that’s great in salads. Plus, they’re little garden heroes: attracting beneficial insects and acting as decoys to draw pests away from more vulnerable plants. A true multi-tasker in the garden!

Melon-choly? Not a chance!

Nasturtiums are also fantastic companion plants for melons. I’ve got cantaloupe growing in the lower planter and watermelon up top, and the nasturtiums are doing their part to keep things balanced. The cantaloupe are already starting to flower and I know it’ll be a couple more months before I get to harvest them, but that just gives the anticipation time to build.

There's something so satisfying about watching the process unfold, day by day.

So Cool!

A cousin of the melon is the cucumber. This little guy will grow several inches in the coming weeks and then the harvest begins. This plant will also continue to produce more cucumbers when harvested regularly. Picking them in the morning is best and leave a bit of the stem attached to the fruit.

Tomatoes Galore!

Taking the next step beyond flowering, although there are plenty of flowers still, the tomatoes are beginning to fruit. On the left, the beefsteaks are gearing up to deliver those thick, juicy slices that take a sandwich or burger to the next level. Over on the right, the romas are coming along nicely—perfect for turning into salsa, pasta sauce, or a delightful soup.

I’ve also got some San Marzanos in the mix for fire roasted tomatoes, and the ever-charming Tiny Tim cherry tomatoes for snacking straight off the vine. This little tomato crew is really starting to shine!

As summer unfolds, the amaranth is evolving right along with it. Each day, the leaves grow darker, fuller, and more vibrant, it’s such a joy to watch. I’m especially excited for the first blooms and, of course, looking forward to eventually harvesting the seeds. Patience is part of the process, but the anticipation makes it all the more rewarding.

Meanwhile, the strawberries are doing their thing, sweetening summer one juicy bite at a time. There’s nothing quite like picking them fresh and tasting the sunshine!

What’s been the highlight, or let down, in your garden? Share what you’re growing, loving, or learning in the comments and

keep growing!